Radiation detectors employing contemporaneous detection and decontamination

ABSTRACT

Radiation detectors and methods of using the radiation detectors that provide a route for surface decontamination during use are described. The detectors utilize light illumination of an internal surface during use. Light is in the longer UV-to-near-infrared spectra and desorbs contamination from internal surfaces of radiation detectors. The methods can be carried out while the detectors are in operation, preventing the appearance of the negative effects of radioactive and non-radioactive contamination during a detection regime and following a detection regime.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/125,954, having a filing date Sep. 10, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT

This invention was made with Government support under Grant No.DE-AC09-08SR22470, awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. TheGovernment has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

Radiation detectors such as ion chambers, proportional counters,Geiger-Müller counters, and scintillation counters are used in a widevariety of applications in the medical, personal safety, and securityfields, among others. Radiation detectors can be utilized to examinegaseous, liquid, or solid samples to determine the presence, type, orlevel of radioactivity of any type (e.g., alpha or beta particles, gammarays, x-rays).

Unfortunately, radiation detectors of all types may become contaminatedduring use, which can lead to inaccuracies in detection regimes. Forinstance, radiation detectors can suffer from “memory effects,” in whichradioactive material may interact in some way with, and be retained by,the detector. By way of example, the surface of a sample chamber can becontaminated with radioactive material during a detection protocol. Uponlater use, the detector may respond to the retained radioactivematerial, rather than or in addition to the response due to radiationeffects of the current detection regime. Thus, the detector may exhibita response even though the current detection regime is not encounteringany radioactive materials or the detector may exhibit a strongerresponse than accurate for the current regime. Effectively, the detector“remembers” the radiation of the previous regime. While any radiationdetector may experience such a memory effect if its active surfacebecomes contaminated by radioactive material, gaseous ionizationdetectors (e.g., ion chambers, Geiger counters), scintillationdetectors, and β-induced x-ray spectrometry detectors are known toexhibit such memory effects.

Surface contamination issues in radiation detectors are not limited toradioactive contamination, and sample chamber surface contamination fromwater and other non-radioactive absorbed species can also negativelyaffect radiation detectors. For example, non-radioactive moisturecontamination can cause stray current to leak across the surfaces ofcontaminated insulators, leading to higher background signals inradiation detectors.

The performance of radiation detectors could be improved by removingboth radioactive and non-radioactive contamination from sample chambersurfaces. Many approaches for cleaning sample chamber surfaces have beensuggested, primary among which are ozone-based cleaning methods in whicha sample chamber is filled with ozone while not in operation. The use ofUV light illumination has also been shown to remove surfacecontamination and create atomically clean metal surfaces for devices.However, known light illumination processes combine light at the lowerend of the UV spectra (generally less than 200 nm) with reactive ozone,use expensive pulsed lasers, and/or operate only in vacuum conditions.Moreover, such approaches are generally expensive and unwieldly and donot prevent the appearance of background signals due to surfacecontamination during the course of a detection regime, which can halt aregime mid-procedure and take the detector off-line, preventing furtheruse of the detector until a thorough cleaning protocol (e.g., usingozone) has been carried out.

What are needed in the art are devices and methods for removal of bothradioactive and non-radioactive contamination from the surfaces ofradiation detectors that can function during use of the detectors so asto prevent background signals during a detection protocol and preventdown-time for detectors.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, disclosed is a radiation detector thatincludes a light source in optical communication with an internalsurface of the radiation detector, the internal surface being a surfacethat is held in radioactive communication with a potential radiationsource during a detection protocol; for instance, a wall of a gas samplechamber or the surface of a scintillator. The light source is configuredto direct light in the longer ultra-violet (UV)-to-near infra-redwavelength range at the surface. The light can be e.g., from about 255nm to about 2500 nm, and can include light of a narrow or broadspectrum. The radiation detector can optionally include additionalmaterials that can enhance the surface decontamination effects of thelight. For instance, the radiation detector can include light enhancingnanoparticles (e.g., metal nanoparticles), photocatalysts, ornano-structured electrodes at the surface that can further improve thesurface decontamination effects of the light.

Also disclosed are methods for decontamination of a radiation detectorduring use. For instance, a method can include locating a radiationdetector in radioactive communication with a potential radiation source.The method can also include establishing detection conditions for thedetector (e.g., establishment of an electric field in a gas samplechamber, bringing a component of the detector, e.g., a scintillator or agas sample, into radioactive communication with a potential radiationsource, etc.) such that the radiation detector registers the presence,type, or quantity of radioactivity in the potential radiation sourcefollowing the establishment of the detection conditions. In addition,the method can include impinging an internal surface of the detectorwith light in the longer UV-to-near-IR spectra (e.g., from about 255 nmto about 2500 nm). This step can be simultaneous with the establishmentof the detection conditions and the registration of the presence, type,or quantity of radioactivity in the source. By use of the method, theinternal surface of the detector can be decontaminated simultaneouslywith the detection regime, preventing background signal during theregime as well as memory effects in later detection regimes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, includingthe best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forthmore particularly in the remainder of the specification, includingreference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, and FIG. 1D schematically illustrate severalexamples of ionization chambers described herein.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of another gaseousradiation detector as described herein.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a scintillationcounter as described herein.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a β-induced x-rayspectrometry (BIXS) detector as described herein.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a portion of an internal surface of aradiation detector including decontamination enhancement materials asdescribed herein.

FIG. 6 presents at (a) a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) trace versustime showing increase in mass on a gold surface after water vapor wasintroduced to a system and at (b) QCM traces versus time showingdecrease in mass on a water saturated gold surface after light emittingdiodes (LEDs) with different wavelengths were turned on/off.

FIG. 7 presents at (a) QCM traces versus time showing decrease in masson a hydrocarbon (mineral oil)-contaminated gold surface after LEDs withdifferent wavelengths were turned on/off and at (b) a portion of thetrace of the mass on the gold surface after the LEDs were turned off at900 s.

FIG. 8 presents Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) ofL-cysteine on gold after different UV LED (λ=365 nm) irradiation times.Increasing peaks are shown. The spectra are offset to improve clarity.

FIG. 9 presents at (a) FTIR spectra from a dark experiment, showing thatafter 5 hours with no light exposure, the hydrocarbon peaks from mineraloil remain strong and at (b) FTIR from an LED experiment, showing thatafter 5 hours of UV LED (λ=365 nm) exposure the hydrocarbon peaksdecreased and disappeared.

FIG. 10 illustrates “native” carbon contamination of stainless steelcoupons from processing, as indicated by CH₃ peaks observed in an FTIRspectra. Upon illumination with UV LED (λ=365 nm), the peaks decreased,indicating removal of the contamination.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter, one or more examples of which are set forthbelow. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the subjectmatter, not limitation thereof. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be madein the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe subject matter. For instance, features illustrated or described aspart of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield astill further embodiment.

In general, disclosed herein are radiation detectors and methods ofusing the radiation detectors that provide a route for surfacedecontamination during use. More specifically, disclosed detectorsutilize light illumination in the longer UV-to-near-infrared spectra todesorb contamination from internal surfaces of radiation detectors.Beneficially, the methods can be carried out while the detectors are inoperation, preventing the appearance of the negative effects ofradioactive and non-radioactive contamination (e.g., memory effects,increased background signal, etc.) both during a detection regime andfollowing a detection regime (during later regimes).

UV light is generally understood to span the electromagnetic spectrumfrom about 10 nm to about 400 nm, and IR light is generally understoodto span the electromagnetic spectrum from about 700 nm to about 1 mm,with visible light falling between the two. The presently discloseddevices and methods can utilize any light from the upper end of the UVspectrum (e.g., about 255 nm or greater) to the lower end of the IRspectrum (e.g., about 2500 nm or less, generally referred to as near IR)to decontaminate a surface of a radiation detector.

Beneficially, the light source can deliver any light, either narrow orbroad spectrum, to the surface to be treated. As such, the devices donot require coherent light sources (lasers), though lasers can beutilized if desired. In addition, the decontamination methodology doesnot require the use of ozone in conjunction with the light treatment andcan carried out with the surface held in conjunction with material(e.g., a gas sample) at any pressure. Moreover, while the methods canbeneficially be utilized during a radiation detection regime, the use ofthe devices is not limited to such, and the methods can be effective forcleaning internal surfaces of a radiation detector either or both ofduring use and while the detector is off-line.

Any light source configured to direct light within the desired spectraat an internal surface of a radiation detector is encompassed herein.For instance, light emitting diodes (LEDs) of a narrow (e.g., single)wavelength or lasers providing a single wavelength coherent light can beused. However, a broad spectrum light source may optionally be used, andmay be preferred in some embodiments. A broad spectrum light source candeliver light including any wavelength range spanning all or any portionof the spectra from the upper end of the UV spectrum to the near IRspectrum. Moreover, a broad spectrum light source can include lightoutside of this range, provided it also includes light within thisrange.

A light source can be located in/on a device so as to expose a largesurface area of a radiation detector in the light or alternatively, canbe directed at a relatively small surface area. Light sources canoptionally be adjustable, so as to modify the light impinging surface.For example, a raster methodology or a pulsed light source can beutilized, in which a light is systematically directed to one or moresurfaces of a radiation detector; for instance, over the course of adetection regime. A systematic, raster-type impingement approach can becarried out a single time over the course of a single detection regimeor can be repeated, such that the different surface areas of theradiation detector are impinged with the light multiple times over thecourse of a single detection regime. Of course, a constant, steady lightimpingement of a surface over an entire detection regime is alsoencompassed herein.

Radiation detectors that can beneficially incorporate a decontaminationlight source are not particularly limited, and the disclosed methods canbe beneficial for any detector that includes an internal surface thatmay potentially be contaminated with radioactive or non-radioactivematerials during use. By way of example, and without limitation,radiation detectors encompassed herein can include gaseous ionizationdetectors (ion chambers, proportional counters, Geiger counters),scintillation detectors incorporating organic scintillators, inorganicscintillators, or combinations thereof, and BIXS systems.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate several examples of ion chambers incorporating adecontamination light source. As shown at FIG. 1A, an ionization chambercan include a sample chamber 10, a first collecting electrode 12, and asecond collecting electrode 14. During use, one of the collectingelectrodes, e.g., 12, can function as an anode and can be positivelycharged with respect to the other collecting electrode, e.g., 14(functioning as a cathode). In this embodiment, the chamber wall servesas the second collecting electrode 14.

The shape of the collecting electrodes in an ionization chamber canvary. For instance, in the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the first collectingelectrode 12 is in the shape of a cone, and the second collectingelectrode 14 can be at the wall of the sample chamber 20, as in theembodiment of FIG. 1A. In the embodiment of FIG. 1D, the two collectingelectrodes 12, 14 are in the form of flat parallel plates held within asample chamber 30.

Another type of ionization chamber encompassed herein is a well detectortype detector as illustrated in FIG. 1C. In this embodiment, the outerwall of the sample chamber 40 functions as a first collecting electrodeand a portion of this collecting electrode 40 extends down inside ahollow tube, which forms a second collecting electrode 42.

No matter what the configuration of the ionization chamber, theradiation detector can include a light source 2 that is located withrespect to the sample chamber 10, 20, 30, 40, so as to direct light on awall of the sample chamber and/or any other internal surface of thedetector (e.g., insulators, electrodes, etc.) that may be contaminatedwith radioactive or nonradioactive contaminants during use. As stated,the light source 2 can deliver light in a broad or narrow spectrumwithin the long UV-to-near-IR spectra and can deliver light to all or aportion of the sample chamber wall either continuously during adetection regime or periodically during a detection regime, as well asbetween regimes, when the detector is not in use.

During use, a gaseous sample that is held in the sample chamber 10, 20,30, 40 is placed under a potential difference that is establishedbetween the first and second collecting electrodes 12, 14. For instance,a potential difference of from about 100 volts (V) to 500 V atatmospheric pressure can be established in a typical ionization chamber.Of course, the most appropriate voltage for any particular system candepend on a number of characteristics such as the chamber size, the typeof radiation to be detected, etc.

Upon radioactive communication with a radiation source, components ofthe gaseous sample can be ionized, creating ion pairs including theresultant positive ions and dissociated electrons. For instance, aradiation source in the area of the sample chamber can emit ionizingparticles (alpha particles or beta particles) that can pass into thesample chamber and ionize the gaseous sample. Of course, detection oflow energy radiation requires that the radioactive particles canpenetrate and access the gas sample held in the sample chamber, i.e.,that the radiation source is in radioactive communication with the gasheld in the sample chamber; for instance, through a suitable window.Higher energy radiation sources (gamma or x-rays) can also directlyionize the gaseous sample and create the ion pairs, as well indirectlyionize the gaseous sample via electrons, to which gamma rays or x-rayshave transferred energy according to the photoelectric effect, Comptonscattering, or pair production.

The ion pairs created upon interaction of the gas with the ionizingradiation can move to the respective electrodes of the opposite polarityunder the influence of the electric field. The ionization current thusgenerated can then be measured by a suitable electrometer circuit (oftenin the region of femtoamperes to picoamperes, depending on the chamberdesign, radiation dose, and applied voltage). In general, ionizationchambers operate at relatively low voltages and, as such, do notdiscriminate between radiation types and do not produce an energyspectrum of radiation.

Gaseous radiation detectors that operate at higher electric fieldstrengths as compared to an ionization chamber are also encompassedherein. For instance, a radiation detector that includes adecontamination light as described can be a gaseous detector thatexhibits a multiplication effect such as a Geiger-Müller tube or aproportional counter in which secondary electrons, and ultimately,Townsend avalanches, can greatly amplify the ion-current charge.

By way of example, FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a gaseous radiationdetector such as a Geiger counter or a proportional counter thatincludes an electric circuit 52 connected to electrodes 53, 54configured to establish a relatively high voltage potential across a gasheld in a sample chamber 50. In order to detect alpha and low energybeta particles, a gaseous detector can optionally include a window 56that is thin enough to allow penetration of such particles, e.g., micawith a density of about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg/cm² and thus provide lowenergy radioactive communication between a radiation source and the gasheld in the sample chamber.

A proportional counter can include as a fill gas of the sample chamber50 an inert gas (e.g., argon) that is ionized by incident radiation 55,and a quench gas, such as methane, that ensures that each pulsedischarge terminates. As the ionizing radiation travels through thesample chamber 50, it forms ion pairs along its trajectory, as with theionization chamber. In contrast to the ionization chamber, however, theelectric field strength is greater, for instance, about 500 V or greaterat atmospheric pressure, which can prevent re-combination of the ionpairs and in the vicinity of the anode, the field strength can becomelarge enough to produce Townsend avalanches. This provides for themultiplication effect of the avalanche produced by each ion pair and adetector output pulse that is proportional to the radiation energyabsorbed. Proportional counters can be desired in certain embodiments;for instance, to discriminate between alpha and beta particles, or toprovide a more accurate measurement of X-ray radiation dose.

The Geiger-Müller tube of a typical Geiger counter is a gaseousradiation detector that operates at the highest electric field of thethree types of gaseous detectors. The sample chamber is filled with aninert gas such as helium, neon, or argon at low pressure and a quenchgas (e.g., halogen or alcohol) to stop the ionization discharge, towhich a high voltage is applied (e.g., about 450 V to about 600 V at lowpressure). The tube briefly conducts electrical charge when incidentradiation makes the gas conductive by ionization. The ionization isconsiderably amplified within the tube by the Townsend discharge effectto produce an easily measured detection pulse, which is fed toprocessing, and to display electronics (not illustrated in the figures).

As shown, a gaseous radiation detector as illustrated in FIG. 2 caninclude one or more decontamination lights 2 as described above that canbe located on or in the sample chamber 50 so as to direct light at awall of the sample chamber or any other internal surface of the detectorduring use.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a scintillator counter as another typeof radiation detector as may incorporate a decontamination light 2 (or aplurality thereof). A scintillation counter can include one or moredecontamination lights 2 located so as to impinge all or a portion of asample chamber 60 and/or a scintillator 62 with decontamination light,as described. As shown, a scintillation counter can include ascintillator 62 in combination with a photodetector 64 which generallyincorporates a photomultiplier tube. Depending upon the nature of thescintillator 62, the scintillator 62 and the photodetector 64 can beseparated by an optically transparent window 66.

A scintillator counter can incorporate any suitable scintillatorincluding, without limitation, organic or inorganic scintillators, aswell as solid or liquid phase scintillators. For instance, in oneembodiment, a sample to be analyzed can be dissolved/dispersed in aliquid scintillator such that radioactive isotopes of the sample cancontact molecules of the liquid scintillator, with interaction betweenthe two, transforming radioactive energy of the sample into photonsdetectable by the photodetector 64. Typically, liquid scintillators caninclude an aromatic solvent into which a small amount of fluorescingcompounds (e.g., naphthalene or anthracene) are dissolved. Theradioactive particle (e.g., alpha or beta particle) excites solventmolecules and the excited states migrate to the fluors. Their subsequentde-excitation produces the detectable photons.

Of course, disclosed scintillation counter radiation detectors are notlimited to liquid scintillators or photomultipliers as thephotodetector, and other materials as are known in the art can beincorporated. For instance, any single-crystal or poly-crystallinescintillating materials that responds to incident radiation by emittingphotons can be optically coupled to a photo detector such as, forexample, a photo-diode, PIN diode, or photoresistor.

Exemplary inorganic scintillator crystals can include, withoutlimitation, thallium-doped sodium iodide (Tl:NaI) crystals, crystalsbased on cesium iodide (CsI) that may be used pure or doped (e.g., withthallium or sodium) bismuth germanate (BGO) based crystals, orcerium-activated lutetium oxyorthosilicate Ce:LSO crystals.

Examples of organic scintillators can include, without limitation,crystals having a plurality of aromatic rings such as, withoutlimitation, polynuclear aromatic compounds or hydrocarbons including aseries of interconnected rings including at least two aromatic ringssuch as anthracene, naphthacene, pentacene, hexacene, phenanthrene,chrysene, picene, 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene, 2,3,6,7-dibenzphenanthrene,pyrene, fluoranthene, fluorene, dibenzo-fluorene, dinaphtho-fluorene,carbazole, naphthophenocarbazole, diphenylene oxide, and the like ormixtures of such compounds. Hybrid organic/inorganic scintillatorcrystals as are known in the art may likewise be incorporated in aradiation detector.

As indicated in FIG. 3, among the internal surfaces of the detector thatcan be contacted with the decontamination light can be included anysurface of a solid scintillator that is in radioactive communicationwith a sample or radiation 65 from a radiation source including, withoutlimitation, sample walls, scintillators, internal windows, andcomponents of a photodetector (e.g., surfaces of a photomultiplier tube,including wall surfaces and the electrodes of the detector).

Yet another exemplary radiation detector type as may incorporate adecontamination light is a BIXS type detector, an example of which isillustrated in FIG. 4. BIXS detectors can be particularly useful intritium detection, though they are by no means limited to suchapplications. As indicated, a BIXS detector can include a sample chamber70, one or more decontamination lights 2, an x-ray generating window 72such as a gold-coated beryllium window, and an x-ray detector 74, e.g.,a silicon drift detector.

During use, a radiation source, e.g., a gaseous, solid, or liquidsuspected of containing tritium, can be located in radioactivecommunication with the x-ray generating window 72. By way of example, asample chamber 70 can be filled with a tritium-containing liquid or gas.Tritium contained in the sample will emit beta particles that, uponstriking the x-ray producing window 74, will emit x-rays. At least aportion of the x-rays produced at the window can penetrate to bedetected at the x-ray detector, and the x-ray intensity detected can beproportional to the tritium concentration (e.g., the tritium partialpressure) of the sample.

In one embodiment, a radiation detector can include decontaminationenhancing material that can be utilized in conjunction with adecontamination light as described. For instance, an internal surface tobe decontaminated by the light can be coated with a material that canenhance the decontamination process; for instance, through improvedlight interaction with the surface.

A decontamination enhancement material can, in one embodiment, includenanoparticles that include or are formed of a material that favorablyinteracts with light in the desired spectra, e.g., metals, which canenhance the decontamination process through plasmonic interactions.Plasmonic nanoparticles can exhibit a resonant interaction with thedecontamination light that matches the plasmon frequency of theparticle. At this frequency, the particle can act as a nano-antenna,gathering light from an area much larger than the particle itself,generating high intensities by concentrating the electromagnetic energyin the near-field and redirecting optical energy in new directionsthrough scattering. The plasmon frequency can vary and can be controlledvia control of the size, shape, material, and surrounding environment ofthe particle. Beneficially, such parameters can be used to tune the waythat the particle interacts with the decontamination light; forinstance, through control of the angular distribution of scattered lightto better direct the light at the desired surfaces of the detector.

Metals as may be included in a decontamination enhancing nanoparticlecan include, without limitation, aluminum, copper, gold, iron, silver,titanium, nickel, zinc, rhodium or combinations thereof. Metal oxidephotocatalysts are also encompassed herein including, withoutlimitation, titanium oxides, zinc oxides, tin oxides, strontiumtitanates, tungsten oxides, bismuth oxides, iron oxides, vanadiumoxides, or combinations thereof.

In general, nanostructures at a surface of a detector can have acharacteristic size dimension (e.g., an average cross-sectionaldimension) of about 500 nm or less; for instance, from about 1 to about400 nm, or from about 10 to about 200 nm, in some embodiments. Metalnanoparticles can be formed according to standard methodologies, such ascolloidal synthesis processes, which can provide a large degree ofcontrol over the size and shape of the particles. In addition, theparticles can be embedded, chemically attached (bonded), or adhered toan internal surface of a detector according to any suitable process,e.g., spray techniques, drop-casting, self-assembly, or lithographicapproaches.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates one example of internal surfaces 80 ofa detector including a plurality of nanostructures 84 at the surfaces80. During use, contamination particles, e.g., tritiated gas molecules86 can adhere to the surface 80. Under the influence of the signal 88produced from the interaction of light from light source 82 with thenanostructures 84, adhered contamination particles 86 can separate fromthe surface 80, as indicated.

Additional examples of decontamination enhancement materials can includesilver salts of an organic acid, such as carboxylic acids, sulfonicacids, sulfinic acids, phenols, enols, thiophenols, imides, oximes,primary or secondary nitro compounds, or clathrate compounds. In oneembodiment, a silver salt of an inorganic acid, such as a chloric acid,a perchloric acid or a fluorine, can be used as an inorganic enhancementmaterial.

Radiation detectors and methods as described herein can beneficially beutilized in facilities and application that include monitoring orhandling of radioactive agents for improved safety and control. Forinstance, and without limitation, disclosed devices could bebeneficially employed in medical isotope production and use, nuclearfusion and fission reactors, as well as in non-proliferation monitoring.Disclosed devices can provide for more efficient use of detectors, asthey can eliminate down time for cleaning operations and can increaseworker safety through improved monitoring, as well as decreasedexposure, during cleaning processes.

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to theExamples set forth below.

Example 1

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) system was employed to measure traceamounts of surface adsorbed species on gold surfaces. QCMs are oftenused to measure materials at angstrom level (10⁻¹⁰ m) thicknesses. Agold-coated QCM crystal was placed in a vessel and exposed to watervapor-saturated (22° C.) flowing N₂ gas (200 mL/min), and the QCM signalindicated that water was being deposited on the surface of the gold(FIG. 6(a)). Next, the gold surface was exposed to LED lightillumination while in the flowing N₂ gas and water vapor. Upon LED lightillumination for all wavelengths tested, the mass on the gold surfacedecreased dramatically (FIG. 6(b)), indicating that the light wasremoving the trace amounts of water that had been adsorbed and absorbedby the gold-coated QCM crystal. Surface water is an importantcontamination source for radiation detectors, as described above.Additionally, water contamination is especially problematic for tritium(radioactive hydrogen) detection, as isotopic exchange will result innon-radioactive surface water becoming radioactive and producing abackground signal (memory effect).

Example 2

Carbon-based contamination removal by use of disclosed methods wasexamined. Mineral oil (a representative, non-volatile hydrocarbon) waspipetted onto the gold-coated QCM crystal, and then placed in ameasurement chamber under flowing N₂ gas (200 mL/min). The contaminatedgold surface was exposed to LED light illumination while in the flowingN₂ gas. For all wavelengths of LED light illumination, the mass on thegold surface decreased (FIG. 7), indicating that the light was removingthe hydrocarbon contamination that was deposited onto the gold-coatedQCM crystal. Carbon contamination is ubiquitous and can lead to leakagecurrents and background signals from isotopic exchange.

Example 3

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy can provide insight intothe chemical changes occurring in the surface contamination under LEDillumination. FIG. 8 shows the changes in L-cysteine followingadsorption onto a gold surface and exposure to an UV LED light source.L-cysteine served as a representative chemically absorbed carbonaceouscontamination source. It chemically adsorbs to gold surfaces throughthiol (gold-sulfur) and/or amine (gold-nitrogen) bonds. Therefore, SH,NH, and NH₂ vibrational modes were not seen in the FTIR spectra whenL-cysteine was chemically bonded to the gold surface. As seen in FIG. 8,initially these vibrational modes were not seen, indicating that theL-cysteine was chemically adsorbed on the gold surface. As theillumination time increased, these modes reappeared, revealing that theUV light was breaking the surface chemical bonds of L-cysteine.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show the changes in the FTIR spectra in carboncontamination on gold (mineral oil) and stainless steel (native)surfaces under illumination, respectively. These data confirm the QCMdata in showing that the LED light illumination removed hydrocarboncontamination from different surfaces.

While certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have beendescribed using specific terms, such description is for illustrativepurposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subjectmatter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radiation detector comprising a light source inoptical communication with an internal surface of the radiationdetector, the light source being configured to decontaminate theinternal surface by directing light having a wavelength from about 255nanometers to about 2500 nm at the internal surface of the radiationdetector contemporaneous with operation of the radiation detector toestablish radiation detection conditions of the radiation detector. 2.The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the radiation detectorcomprises a gas sample chamber, the gas sample chamber comprising atleast a portion of the internal surface.
 3. The radiation detector ofclaim 2, wherein the radiation detector comprises first and secondelectrodes configured to establish a potential difference across the gassample chamber.
 4. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein theradiation detector comprises a scintillator, the scintillator comprisingat least a portion of the internal surface.
 5. The radiation detector ofclaim 1, wherein the radiation detector is a β-induced x-rayspectrometry detector.
 6. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein thelight source comprises a broad-spectrum light source.
 7. The radiationdetector of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a singlewavelength light source.
 8. The radiation detector of claim 1, whereinthe light source comprises a light emitting diode.
 9. The radiationdetector of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured toperiodically communicate with the internal surface contemporaneous withoperation of the radiation detector to establish radiation detectionconditions.
 10. The radiation detector of claim 1, further comprising adecontamination enhancing material at the internal surface.
 11. Theradiation detector of claim 10, wherein the decontamination enhancingmaterial comprises plasmonic nanoparticles.
 12. The radiation detectorof claim 11, the plasmonic nanoparticles comprising a metal.
 13. Theradiation detector of claim 12, the metal comprising aluminum, copper,gold, iron, silver, titanium, nickel, zinc, rhodium, or a combinationthereof.
 14. The radiation detector of claim 10, wherein thedecontamination enhancing material comprises a metal oxidephotocatalyst.
 15. The radiation detector of claim 10, wherein thedecontamination enhancing material comprises a silver salt of an organicacid.
 16. The radiation detector of claim 1, wherein the radiationdetector comprises a tritium detector.